Board game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A board game on which two opposing players move game-pieces across a plurality of spaces in the board toward a goal thereon. The two players each have a set of a plurality of game-pieces with each game-piece having indicia thereon indicating the ranking, relative to the other game-pieces, of its power or authority to capture other game-pieces on the board. Each goal has a disabling zone adjacent thereto through which all gamepieces entering the goal must pass. When a player&#39;&#39;s game-piece is in the disabling zone of an opposing player it temporarily loses its power or authority and may be captured and removed by any opposing game-piece regardless of its ranking of power or authority. Preferably, the board has a protection zone which may be entered by only some of the game-pieces which will thereby be free from capture by other game-pieces while remaining in such protection zone.

1 United States Patent 11 1 1 1 3,908,998

Fong 1 Sept. 30, 1975 BOARD GAME APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Delbert B.Lowe [76] inventor- Wai Mi F 22641 Doremus St Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Barnes, Kisselle, Raisch &

Clair Shores, Mich. 48080 Clme [22] Filed: Apr. 18, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT[21] A No.; 352,090 A board game on which two opposing players move 1game-pieces across a plurality of spaces in the board toward a goalthereon. The two players each have a [52] 273/131 273/13] set of aplurality of game-pieces with each game-piece {51] Int. Cl. 293/131 134having indicia thereon indicating the ranking relative [58] meld Searchto the other game-pieces, of its power or authority to Ci capture othergame-pieces on the board. Each goal [56] References ted has a disablingzone adjacent thereto through which UNlTED STATES PATENTS allgame-pieces entering the goal must pass. When a 1,433,336 /1922Beresford 273/131 K players game-piece is in the disabling zone of anop- 3,709,498 1/1973 Liston 273/13] AB posing player it temporarilyloses its power or author- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ity and maybe cadptured and remlczved bty any opposing game-piece regar less of itsran ing 0 power or authority. Preferably, the board has a protectionzone 863 694 1/1941 France 1. 2;3/131 BB which may be entered by onlysome of the game- 31022 i894 United Kingdom.... 273/131 B Pieces whichwill thereby be free from Capture y 7 49 1909 United Kingdom 273/131 Kother game-pieces while remaining in such protection 3 Claims, 1 DrawingFigure U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975

Z/J/II gd .7079 Z0 74% III 3 I I I I I I I I I I I I L RED 5M5? BOARDGAME APPARATUS This invention relates to games and more particularly 7to a game with a board in which two opposing players move game-piecesacross a plurality of spaces on the board.

Objects of this invention are to provide a board game which isinteresting, challenging, attention retaining, educational andentertaining to the players thereof. These and other objects, featuresand advantages of this invention will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and accompanying drawing, the single FIGUREof which is a plan view of the board 'used in this game with thegame-pieces in the proper positions on the board for beginning the game.

As shown in the drawing, a board 10, preferably of a rigidself-supporting material such as paperboard or sheet plastic, has aplurality of spaced parallel longitudinally and laterally extendinglines 12 and 14 respectively on an upper face thereof defining arectangular grid playing area made up of longitudinal columns extendingacross the playing area and each containing a plurality of square spaces16. Preferably, board has seven such longitudinal columns with eachcolumn containing 10 spaces, although a larger or smaller number ofcolumns and/or spaces can be used.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, board 10 has goals 18and adjacent each longitudinal end of the playing area and designated byrings which may have distinguishing colors, such as red and bluerespectively. Each ring encircles the term den in the spaces 16 at theopposed ends of the center column of spaces.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, goals 18 and 20 areeach surrounded by a disabling zone designated by three symbols 22, 22'and 22" and three symbols 24, 24 and 24" respectively, received in thethree spaces 16" immediately adjacent each goal and each enclosing theterm trap. Preferably, the trap symbols are a four-sided squaregraphically indi cating the crossed sticks of a trap, and are furtheridentified by the colors red and blue for traps 22, 22' and 22" and 24,24' and 24" respectively. Two protection zones 26 and 26 each set offfrom surrounding spaces by being given a different color therefrom, suchas green, are each enclosed by a rectangular border line 28, 28'. Zones26 and 26' are each designated by the term river and are located on theplaying area of board 10 between goals 18 and 20 and indicate zones ofthe playing area which only some tokens or gamepieces 30 may enter.Preferably, zones 26 and 26' are symmetrically located on the playingarea and are each 'completely surrounded by spaces 16 across which allgame-pieces 30 may pass as explained hereinafter.

Two sets of an equal number of game-pieces 30, suitably colored, such asred and blue, for identification by the players, are used with board 10.Each game-piece 30 of both sets has a given ranking, relative to theother game-pieces, of its power or authority to capture or remove othergame-pieces from board 10. Preferably,

each game-piece 30 comprises a flat disc of a plastic material with ananimal embossed on its upper face to indicate the power or authority ofthe game-piece.

Preferably, each set has eight game-pieces 30 with each piece differingfrom the others in the set as indicated by a picture of an elephant 32,lion 34, tiger 36, leopard 38, wolf 40, dog 42, cat 44 and rat 46embossed respectively thereon as indicia of the power of each gamepiecein that order. Thus, in accordance with a further feature of theinvention, the classical power ranking of the animal-kingdom isemployed, with the elephant having the greatest and the rat the leastpower in the order named. Preferably, each game-piece 30 can onlycapture all other game-pieces of the same or lesser power, except forthe elephant game-pieces 32 which preferably cannot capture ratgame-pieces 46 and rat game-pieces which can capture elephantgame-pieces 32 as well as opposing rat game-pieces.

The initial starting position of the game-pieces 30 of each set isindicated by placing, as by imprinting or embossing, the names 48 of theanimals depicted on the game-pieces on board 10 in those spaces 16 inwhich the corresponding game-pieces should be placed. The particularpattern shown in the drawing of the initial location of each game-piece30 has been empirically found to be preferable. In this pattern, theinitial position of the game-pieces 30 of one set at one end of theboard is identical to and rotated with respect to the position of thegame-pieces of the other set at the other end of the board. Thus, whenthe pattern for each set of game-pieces is viewed from its associatedadjacent end of board 10, with the first column of spaces on theleft-hand side and the last column of spaces on the right-hand side, thetiger game-piece 36 is initially positioned in the end space of thefirst column, and the elephant game-piece 32 is also initiallypositioned in the column, but in the third space from the end. The catgame-piece 44 is positioned in the second space from the end of thesecond column and the wolf gamepiece 40 is positioned in the third spacefrom the end of the third column. The leopard game-piece 38 ispositioned in the third space from the end of the fifth column and thedog game-piece 42 is positioned in the second space from the end of thesixth column. The lion game-piece 34 is positioned in the end space ofthe seventh or last column, and the rat game-piece 46 is positioned inthe third space from the end of the last column.

In playing the game, two opposing players take turns in succession, eachmoving only one of his game-pieces 30 usually one square at a time onboard 10. Play may be initiated by the toss of a coin. The game is wonby the first player to move any one of his game-pieces 30 into theopposing players goal or den 18 or 20. Preferably, each game-piece 30may be moved forward, backward, or sideways, but not diagonally, fromthe space 16 in which it is located to an immediately adjacent space 16or 16". In accordance with its ranking of power or authority, eachgame-piece 30 may capture an opponents game-piece by being moved intothe space 16 occupied by such opponents game-piece. Captured game-piecesare removed from board 10 and preferably may not be further used inplaying the game. Only the rat game-pieces 46 can enter the riverprotection zones 26, 26' and while therein are free from capture by allother game-pieces except by the rat game-piece 46 of the opposingplayer. The rat gamepieces 46 can move in the river spaces 16 just asthey can on land spaces 16. Preferably, there are spaces 16 surroundingeach river protection zone 26 or 26 across which all of the game-pieces30 may pass. A rat game-piece 46 may capture opposing elephant and ratgame-pieces 32 and 46 when moving out of protection zone 26 or 26' intosuch surrounding spaces 16. Whenever lion and tiger game-pieces 34 and36 are on a space 16 contiguous with a boundary line 28 of a river"protection zone 26 or 26, they may leap laterally or longitudinallyacross the river" protection zone and either forward or backward to theopposite space 16 contiguous with the boundary line 28 on the other sideor end of the protection zone. For example, a lion or tiger game-piece34 or 36 may leap sideways or forward or backward from contiguous spaces16a or 16b across river" protection zone 26 or 26 to contiguous spaces16a or 16b respectively. However, if an opposing rat game-piece 46 isoccupying a river space directly in the path of the proposed leap, thelion or tiger game-piece is thereby blocked from such a leap.

Whenever any game-piece 30 is received on a space 16" of an opponentstrap disabling zone 22 or 24, such game-piece temporarily loses itspower or authority and becomes subject to capture by any game-piece ofthe opposing player. lf such game-piece is moved out of the opponentstrap 22 or 24, its power or authority to capture other game-pieces isrestored. However, a players game-pieces disposed in his own trap" 22 or24 do not lose their power or authority and, moreover, may not becaptured by an opponents game-pieces while in their own trap. A playermay not move any of his game-pieces 30 into his own den goal 18 or 20.

It is to be understood that the ranking of the relative power andauthority of the various game-pieces 30 of each set, and some of theserules governing the movement of game-pieces 30, may be varied andmodified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthis invention as defined by the appended claims.

From the foregoing description, it will now be apparent that theprotection zones in which only some of the game-pieces may enter andacross which other gamepieces may leap, and combination disabling andprotection trap zones surrounding the goals or dens to temporarilynegate the normal power or authority of opposing game-pieces receivedtherein, as well as other features of this invention, provide a boardgame which is interesting, challenging, attention-retaining andentertaining to the players thereof. The use of gamepieces with animalsdepicted thereon or shaped to the likeness of such animals isparticularly educational and attention-retaining with respect to youngplayers of the game embodying this invention.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising a board having a plurality of columnsextending longitudinally of said board and each containing a pluralityof spaces with laterally adjacent spaces of adjacent columns beinggenerally aligned with each other to form a grid-like array of saidspaces defining a playing area on said board, first and second sets of aplurality of gamepieces each adapted to be received on one of saidspaces of said board and to be moved on said spaces independently of theother of said game-pieces on said board, each of said game-pieces ofeach set having animal ranking indicia means individually associatedtherewith on an upper face thereof visibly exposed to the view of bothplayers of said game apparatus when situated at the oppositelongitudinal ends of said board, said ranking indicia means visiblyidentifying a differing power or rank thereof relative to every other ofsaid game-pieces of said set, said ranking indicia means of each set ofgame-pieces depicting a selected set of members of the animal kingdomeach differing from every other said member and characteristicallycapable of connoting said ranking of the power of the gamepiecesrelative to one another, goal indicia means on first and second selectedones of said spaces distinguished in appearance from the remainder ofsaid spaces and defining first and second goal spaces disposed on saidboard respectively adjacent the longitudinally opposed ends of saidplaying area, and disabling zone indicia means on selected third andfourth sets of said spaces identifying said third and fourth sets ofspaces as disabling spaces by differing in appearance from the remainderof said spaces and from said goal spaces, said third and fourth sets ofdisabling spaces being disposed to surround the associated first andsecond goal spaces respectively and thereby separate said goal spacesfrom all of the remainder of said spaces such that members of said firstand second sets of game-pieces must pass through said fourth and thirddisabling spaces respectively in order to enter said second and firstgoal spaces respectively, each of said disabling spaces being effectiveto decrease the power or rank of at least some opposing game-pieces onlywhile such opposing game-pieces are in an opposing disabling space.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said board includes position indiciameans in certain of said spaces other than said disabling or goal spacesindicating the initial position before starting to play the game of atleast some of the gamepieces of each of said sets of game-pieces withinsaid playing area, said position indicia means of each set being locatedin a spaced array occupying selected spaces in a set of rows of saidspaces extending laterally of said playing area, said rows beingdisposed in the vicinity of and at least encompassing and extendinglaterally on either side of the associated goal and disabling spaces,said position indicia means of each set including a first indicatoridentifying the initial position of the highest ranking gamepiece ofsaid set and being disposed at one lateral end of a first one of saidrows disposed closest to the opposing end of said playing area, a secondindicator identifying the initial position of the second highest rankinggame-piece of said set disposed at the lateral end of a second one ofsaid rows disposed farthest from the opposing end of the said playingarea and laterally opposite the location of said first indicator, athird indicator identifying the initial position of the third highestgamepiece of said set located at the lateral end of said second rowlaterally opposite said second indicator, and a fourth indicatoridentifying the initial position of the lowest ranking game-piece ofsaid set located at the end of said first row laterally opposite saidfirst indicator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said board includes protection zoneindicia means on first and second selected sets of said spacesdistinguished in appearance from said disabling spaces, from said goalspaces and from said game-piece position indicator spaces and definingfirst and second protection zones on said board each made up of aplurality of said spaces arranged in a contiguous array, said protectionzones being separated from one another laterally of said board by atleast one longitudinally extending row of said spaces, said zones eachextending longitudinally of said playing area intermediate said firstrows of said p sition indicia means and being spaced lateraily inwardlyof the longitudinal border of said playing area disposed ally adjacentsaid zones providing spaces across which all of said game-pieces canpass around said protection zones in traveling from a starting positiontoward the opposing goal space.

1. A game apparatus comprising a board having a plurality of columnsextending longitudinally of said board and each containing a pluralityof spaces with laterally adjacent spaces of adjacent columns beinggenerally aligned with each other to form a grid-like array of saidspaces defining a playing area on said board, first and second sets of aplurality of game-pieces each adapted to be received on one of saidspaces of said board and to be moved on said spaces independently of theother of said game-pieces on said board, each of said game-pieces ofeach set having animal ranking indicia means individually associatedtherewith on an upper face thereof visibly exposed to the view of bothplayers of said game apparatus when situated at the oppositelongitudinal ends of said board, said ranking indicia means visiblyidentifying a differing power or rank thereof relaTive to every other ofsaid game-pieces of said set, said ranking indicia means of each set ofgame-pieces depicting a selected set of members of the animal kingdomeach differing from every other said member and characteristicallycapable of connoting said ranking of the power of the game-piecesrelative to one another, goal indicia means on first and second selectedones of said spaces distinguished in appearance from the remainder ofsaid spaces and defining first and second goal spaces disposed on saidboard respectively adjacent the longitudinally opposed ends of saidplaying area, and disabling zone indicia means on selected third andfourth sets of said spaces identifying said third and fourth sets ofspaces as disabling spaces by differing in appearance from the remainderof said spaces and from said goal spaces, said third and fourth sets ofdisabling spaces being disposed to surround the associated first andsecond goal spaces respectively and thereby separate said goal spacesfrom all of the remainder of said spaces such that members of said firstand second sets of game-pieces must pass through said fourth and thirddisabling spaces respectively in order to enter said second and firstgoal spaces respectively, each of said disabling spaces being effectiveto decrease the power or rank of at least some opposing game-pieces onlywhile such opposing game-pieces are in an opposing disabling space. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said board includes position indiciameans in certain of said spaces other than said disabling or goal spacesindicating the initial position before starting to play the game of atleast some of the gamepieces of each of said sets of game-pieces withinsaid playing area, said position indicia means of each set being locatedin a spaced array occupying selected spaces in a set of rows of saidspaces extending laterally of said playing area, said rows beingdisposed in the vicinity of and at least encompassing and extendinglaterally on either side of the associated goal and disabling spaces,said position indicia means of each set including a first indicatoridentifying the initial position of the highest ranking game-piece ofsaid set and being disposed at one lateral end of a first one of saidrows disposed closest to the opposing end of said playing area, a secondindicator identifying the initial position of the second highest rankinggame-piece of said set disposed at the lateral end of a second one ofsaid rows disposed farthest from the opposing end of the said playingarea and laterally opposite the location of said first indicator, athird indicator identifying the initial position of the third highestgame-piece of said set located at the lateral end of said second rowlaterally opposite said second indicator, and a fourth indicatoridentifying the initial position of the lowest ranking game-piece ofsaid set located at the end of said first row laterally opposite saidfirst indicator.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said board includesprotection zone indicia means on first and second selected sets of saidspaces distinguished in appearance from said disabling spaces, from saidgoal spaces and from said game-piece position indicator spaces anddefining first and second protection zones on said board each made up ofa plurality of said spaces arranged in a contiguous array, saidprotection zones being separated from one another laterally of saidboard by at least one longitudinally extending row of said spaces, saidzones each extending longitudinally of said playing area intermediatesaid first rows of said position indicia means and being spacedlaterally inwardly of the longitudinal border of said playing areadisposed closest thereto by at least one longitudinally extending row ofsaid spaces, said protection zones providing spaces which cannot beentered by some of the ranked game pieces of both of said sets ofgame-pieces, said longitudinally extending rows of spaces disposedlaterally adjacent said zones providing spaceS across which all of saidgame-pieces can pass around said protection zones in traveling from astarting position toward the opposing goal space.